2024 Jubilarians | Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities

Sisters of St. Francis of
the Neumann Communities

2024 JUBILARIANS

**Sister Eleanor Reisinger, OSF**
75th Jubilee

Sister Eleanor was taught by the Millvale Franciscans for 12 years. She entered the community from St. Wendelin Parish in Carrick in 1948, and taught in schools in the Pittsburgh, Greenburg and Altoona-Johnstown dioceses. She later worked in the business office at Mt. Alvernia.
Sister is amazed at how quietly God works in her daily life, and she attributes her love for prayer to the example of her parents. For Sister Eleanor, prayer is the most important part of her day which, in turn, gives her enthusiasm for her religious life.

Sister Catherine Maureen
O’Halloran, OSF
70th Jubilee

Sister Catherine Maureen entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale from St. Mary Parish in Lawrenceville. For over 40 years, she ministered in the elementary schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh as a teacher, principal and director of religious education programs. She also ministered at Alverno Apartments (Christian housing) and was a local minister for the Sisters at Mt Alvernia.
“I think it’s wonderful that I am going to celebrate 70 years,” said Sister Catherine Maureen. “I have enjoyed all my years in religious life, especially teaching grades 6, 7 and 8.”
Sister Catherine Maureen says her life as a religious has brought her great joy and strength through service to others. She is currently a resident of Vincentian Home and enjoys participating in many activities

**Sister Marlene Kline, OSF**
70th Jubilee

Sister Marlene Kline taught mathematics in Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and at St. Francis School in Honolulu, Hawaii. She also served as assistant administrator of Kenmare Alternative High School for Women in Jersey City, N.J., and as founder and director of the Learning Club in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood. She served her congregation as director of associates and temporary professed sisters. She also served on her congregation’s leadership team for a decade.
Reflecting on her 70 years in religious life, Sister Marlene wrote: “From the Sister in my congregation, I have learned how to live a life with and for others. We have grown together in an ever-deepening appreciation of our Franciscan vocation. In my years as a teacher, being part of a mixed faculty (lay men, lay women, Sisters from different congregations) was an enriching and privileged ministry experience.”

**Sister Marianita Zabala, OSF**
70th Jubilee

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Sister Marianita received her education from the Millvale Franciscans in San Antonio, Puerto Rico. She entered the community from the Bronx, N.Y., and began teaching in Puerto Rico in 1956. She ministered as a teacher, counselor and principal for 35 years in the Texas towns of San Antonio and Santa Cruz, as well as in Pittsburgh at North Catholic High School and St Francis Hospital.
Sister Marianita has enjoyed all her ministries and her life as a Franciscan Sister. She says her mother, who taught her to take people as they are, has been her greatest inspiration. Sister Marianita continues to share her wonderful smile and spirit with the Sisters and other residents at The Waters of Wexford.

**Sister Pat O’Donnell, OSF**
70th Jubilee

Sister Pat O’Donnell taught in Catholic schools in the Pittsburgh Diocese and in Puerto Rico for 17years. She then served as a parish social minister and at the Guardianship Program at Ursuline Center. She served on the leadership team of the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale for over a decade, then served as regional minister.
Reflecting on her charism, Sister Pat wrote: “Now that I am in the last part of being an octogenarian, I would say I live out the charism of my community more deliberately. For me, aging has given me the luxury of paying more attention to my surroundings and the people who make up this world I now inhabit (senior living community). Being blessed with fairly good health, and not having a ministry that requires traveling or a set time schedule, I have more time to pray, reflect and interact with those around me, which goes beyond the members of my own religious community.

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